Parliament, Monday, 14 September 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, welcomes a series of significant successes by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the specialised law-enforcement units against the drug trade over the past week.
Mr Cameron said: “These successes deserve recognition, particularly because many of the members responsible are doing this work under extremely difficult operational conditions.”
In the Western Cape, SAPS Organised Crime Investigations, SAPS Crime Intelligence and Beaufort West police intercepted 57,000 mandrax tablets and 5kg of cocaine worth approximately R5.85 million.
The SAPS Flying Squad, working with SAPS Crime Intelligence, followed with another major interception near Kraaifontein, recovering approximately 41,000 mandrax tablets valued at R2.05 million.
The Winelands Highway Patrol also delivered an important intelligence-driven result. Members intercepted a vehicle travelling towards Worcester and a SAPS K9 detected crystal meth and cocaine allegedly concealed inside a sealed packet of chips. A father and son were arrested. Of particular concern, one of the suspects is a serving SAPS member who was allegedly travelling with his SAPS-issued firearm at the time.
“The members involved deserve credit for acting against alleged criminality within their own ranks. Nobody should receive special treatment because they wear a police uniform.”
Nationally, there have also been significant successes. In Erasmia, a multidisciplinary operation involving the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, SAPS Crime Intelligence, K9 and the Special Task Force uncovered an alleged drug laboratory and mandrax valued at approximately R100 million. Other significant drug seizures were reported in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Free State during the week.
Mr Cameron said these successes are exactly why the Committee continues to fight for something as basic as working police vehicles. “Ironically, the very Winelands Highway Patrol that delivered the Paarl result was effectively grounded last week because it had no operational vehicles available.”
“We repeatedly raised the vehicle crisis affecting the Cape Town Flying Squad. The unit has since received eight or more additional vehicles over recent weeks, members are back on the road, and we are again seeing what this capability can deliver. We are now pushing particularly hard for additional vehicles for Western Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigations, including its narcotics capability, where serious vehicle shortages are hampering investigators,” said Mr Cameron.
“You cannot expect specialist police officers to dismantle drug networks if they cannot get onto the road. The results of the past week show that the capability exists. Crime Intelligence, Flying Squad, Organised Crime, K9, the Hawks and other specialist members can produce significant results when good intelligence, investigators and operational capacity come together,” emphasised Mr Cameron.
He said Parliament’s job is not only to demand answers when things go wrong. “We must also recognise what works, and then make sure the system gives capable police officers the resources to do more of it. Congratulations to the members involved. These successes must now be built on.”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer.
Mr Mava Lukani
Cell: 081 503 1840
Email: mlukani@parliament.gov.za
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